PALM COAST -- The executive director of a Flagler program designed to reduce youth substance abuse was arrested Wednesday and accused of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and maintaining a drug dwelling, both misdemeanors.

The early morning raid by the Flagler County Sheriff's Narcotics Enforcement Team put Elana Lee, 47, executive director of the Focus On Flagler Youth Coalition inside the Flagler County Inmate Facility. Her two sons and a friend were also arrested.

Lee had approximately 1 gram of marijuana in a dresser drawer, a charging affidavit states.

Inside the house, deputies found cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, scales, bags and devices commonly used for smoking, the affidavit states.

Lee's arrest is particularly ironic since she leads the Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition, which cites decreasing youth substance abuse as one of its goals.

Lee could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In a News-Journal story published in July, Lee said she was surprised to learn how young students were experimenting with drugs and how easy it is to obtain them.

"What's really shocking is that each year, students are using at a younger age," Lee said then. "It's accessible, and apparently, it's very easy to get."

Lee's older son, Benjamin Patonai, 21, was charged with felony manufacturing drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. In his bedroom, deputies said they found hypodermic needles; one contained liquid that an initial test indicated was "heroin/opiates," an affidavit stated. Deputies also found burned spoons and a plastic bottle with a tube stuck in its side, investigators said.

Lee's younger son, David Patonai, 17, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia. The Sheriff's Office declined to release more specific information because he is a minor.

Alex Decosta, 18, described as a friend living at the house, was charged with possession of oxycodone and possession of drug paraphernalia. Deputies said that in his room they found two glass pipes for smoking marijuana, a syringe containing a cloudy liquid, a spoon with oxycodone residue and two digital scales, an affidavit states. He also had 1 1/2 oxycodone pills in a pocket.

The arrests shocked Joe Sullivan, chief professional officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia and Flagler Counties, one of a number of member agencies of the Focus on Flagler Youth Coalition.

"I'm pretty taken aback by all of this," said Sullivan, adding that he didn't know what to think of someone who's paid to play a part in the fight against youth drug use being arrested on drug-related accusations.

The warrant to search Lee's home on Westbury Lane in Palm Coast comes on the heels of 77 calls for service to the house since January 2006, according to Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Debra Johnson. The calls ranged from juvenile complaints to drugs and assaults.

Cpl. Steve Brandt of the Sheriff's NET said the Sheriff's Office had also received numerous complaints from citizens as well as a Crime Stoppers tip about drug activity in the home.

Flagler County does not financially support the Focus On Flagler Youth Coalition Inc., county spokesman Carl Laundrie said, though it did serve as a fiscal agent for a grant for the organization before Lee was hired in January 2007.

At one point, the coalition used office space provided by Flagler County, but moved out two months ago, Laundrie said.

Lynda Linke, director of Flagler County Community Services and a volunteer board member for the coalition, supported Lee.

"I know her well, and she does not have a substance-abuse problem," Linke said.

Linke said she doesn't think Lee will be ousted from her $50,000-a-year contracted position as director and grant writer for the coalition. She contends it's one of Lee's teens that has the substance problem.

Linke speculated that Lee has simply found herself "caught up" in her son's problems and said this situation is a perfect illustration of the necessity and importance of the coalition. The group of nonprofit and governmental agencies, youth and community members work to improve the lives of youths in Flagler County, according to the coalition's Web site.

Lee's case is one of a family working through something difficult, Linke said, and "if they knew all the good work she does" and how hard Lee's had to work to "get help for her little guy," people might be less inclined to offer quick judgment.

Lee posted $1,000 bail and was released from the jail Wednesday. Benjamin Patonai was released after posting $2,000 bail, and Decosta was freed after posting $750 bail. David Patonai was released after being charged, Johnson said.

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Registered User

The executive director of a Flagler program designed to reduce youth substance abuse was arrested Wednesday and accused of possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana and maintaining a drug dwelling, both misdemeanors.

He was stupid. I was lucky. I will visit him soon.

Agreed. But keep in mind that this wasn’t just some person smoking a little weed in his or her own home. They found cocaine, oxycodone, heroin, scales, bags and smoking devices. This was a hard-core drug market that perpetuated all of the other wonderful adjoining crimes that comes with such an establishment.

Combine that with the fact that she was operating under the illusion of trying to reduce teen addiction when in reality she preyed upon the weakness of these addicted kids, she is nothing above a piece of shit in my book.